In 2010, senior forward David Cline was sure he had played his final minutes of collegiate basketball.

“At that point, I thought I was done here,” Cline said. “I didn’t think I was going to come back.”

2010 marked the end of Cline’s junior year at Biola, and though he had one year of athletic eligibility remaining and more than a year’s worth of credits, he chose to leave school, and basketball, to pursue his marriage.

“The priority for me was that I needed to focus on my marriage,” said Cline, who married his wife Jaden in August of 2011. “If I wanted to play basketball in the future then maybe I’d think about coming back or maybe I’d try to play overseas.”

Turns out he will step out onto Biola’s court once more.

Conversations with coaches to return started in January

What began as subtle urges to play again turned into discussions with coaches this past January about the possibility of returning. Now Cline will join a reigning Golden State Athletic Conference championship team as the only senior, bringing leadership and experience to a young group.

Seven underclassmen, including three freshmen, will pack head coach Dave Holmquist’s bench this year, and with only three players from last year’s championship team remaining, Cline’s knowledge of the coaching staff will be vital.

“I just turned 24 so I feel kind of old to be here,” Cline joked, “but I feel it’s appropriate that I’m in this position because I know the coaching staff well and I know [Holmquist’s] style well.”

Cline has high praise for Holmquist, crediting the team’s continued success to his consistent coaching style.

“Not to discredit us at all, but I think [Holmquist] could pick 12 random guys from Biola and coach them to a couple wins just because of how great of a coach he is,” Cline said.

Playing overseas still a possibility for Cline

Cline’s dreams of playing professionally are still alive, as he is hoping to utilize his final year to improve his skills and become a more complete player. Known for his athleticism and dunking ability, Cline knows when it comes to professional tryouts, international scouts will be looking for much more than that.

“I’m planning to go play overseas so I’m going to have to be an all-around player,” Cline said. “I can’t just be the guy who’s athletic or the guy who can dunk. That’s not going to carry me to where I want to play, so this is a great opportunity for me to improve in all the areas that I feel I’m a bit weaker.”

Now in a position of juggling more than just basketball and school, Cline says the addition of his marriage can only bring positive effects to his final year.

“It’s a comfort knowing that I’m married and that my wife is there to support me,” Cline said. “I believe when I was younger I could let my mind go sometimes thinking about what’s going to happen in the future … but now I feel really at peace to be back here.”

In his first game back, Cline played 33 minutes, scoring six points and grabbing six boards in a 74-63 victory over Menlo College on Saturday night.

“This year is going to be great,” he said. “My heart is there.”